Atlantic Wind Lease Sale 4 (ATLW4) Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf Offshore Massachusetts-Proposed Sale Notice

Federal Register, Volume 79 Issue 117 (Wednesday, June 18, 2014)

Federal Register Volume 79, Number 117 (Wednesday, June 18, 2014)

Notices

Pages 34771-34781

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2014-14116

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Docket No. BOEM-2014-0034; MMAA104000

Atlantic Wind Lease Sale 4 (ATLW4) Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf Offshore Massachusetts--Proposed Sale Notice

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.

ACTION: Proposed Sale Notice for Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf Offshore Massachusetts.

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SUMMARY: This document is the Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) for the sale of commercial wind energy leases on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore Massachusetts, pursuant to BOEM's regulations at 30 CFR 585.216. BOEM proposes to offer for sale four leases: Lease OCS-A 0500, Lease OCS-A 0501, Lease OCS-A 0502, and Lease OCS-A 0503. BOEM proposes to use a multiple-factor auction format for the lease sale. In this PSN, you will find information pertaining to the areas available for leasing, proposed lease provisions and conditions, auction details, the lease form, criteria for evaluating competing bids, award procedures, appeal procedures, and lease execution. BOEM invites comments during a 60-day comment period following publication of this notice. The issuance of the leases that would result from this proposed sale would not constitute approval of project-specific plans to develop offshore wind energy. Such plans, expected to be submitted by successful lessees, will be subject to subsequent environmental and public review prior to a decision to proceed with development.

DATES: Comments should be submitted electronically or postmarked no later than August 18, 2014. All comments received or postmarked during the comment period will be made available to the public and considered prior to publication of the Final Sale Notice (FSN).

All bidders interested in participating in the lease sale who have not previously been qualified by BOEM to participate in this lease sale must submit the required qualification materials by the end of the 60-

day comment period for this notice. All qualification materials must be postmarked no later than August 18, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Potential auction participants, Federal, state, and local government agencies, tribal governments, and other interested parties are requested to submit their written comments on the PSN in one of the following ways:

1. Electronically: http://www.regulations.gov. In the entry entitled, ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter BOEM-2014-0034 then click ``search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments.

2. Written Comments: In written form, delivered by hand or by mail, enclosed in an envelope labeled ``Comments on Massachusetts PSN'' to: Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 381 Elden Street, HM 1328, Herndon, Virginia 20170.

3. Qualifications Materials: Those submitting qualifications materials should contact Jessica Stromberg, BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 381 Elden Street, HM 1328, Herndon, Virginia 20170, (703) 787-1320, or jessica.stromberg@boem.gov.

   If you wish to protect the confidentiality of your comments or qualification materials, clearly mark the relevant sections and request that BOEM treat them as confidential. Please label privileged or confidential information with the caption ``Contains Confidential Information'' and consider submitting such information as a separate attachment. Treatment of confidential information is addressed in the section of this PSN entitled ``Protection of Privileged or Confidential Information.'' Information that is not labeled as privileged or confidential will be regarded by BOEM as suitable for public release.

   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Stromberg, BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 381 Elden Street, HM 1328, Herndon, Virginia 20170, (703) 787-1320 or jessica.stromberg@boem.gov.

   Authority: This PSN is published pursuant to subsection 8(p) of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)) (the Act), as amended by section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), and the implementing regulations at 30 CFR Part 585, including 30 CFR 585.211 and 30 CFR 585.216.

   Background: The area described for leasing in this PSN is the same as the Wind Energy Area (WEA) that BOEM announced on May 30, 2012, (see Area Identification announcement available at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/State-Activities/Massachusetts.aspx). Detailed information regarding the lease areas is provided in the section entitled, ``Areas Offered for Leasing.''

   On November 2, 2012, BOEM published a Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Commercial Wind Lease Issuance and Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore Massachusetts Environmental Assessment (EA) (77 FR 66185) with a 30-day public comment period. BOEM received 25 comments, which are available at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/State-Activities/MA/Commercial-Wind-Leasing-Offshore-Massachusetts.aspx. BOEM has concluded consultations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Magnuson-

   Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSFCMA). BOEM will initiate consultations under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) concurrent with the publication of a revised EA. BOEM has prepared and executed a programmatic agreement (PA) to guide its consultations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The PA provides for consultations to continue through BOEM's decision-making process regarding the approval, approval with modification, or disapproval of a lessee's Site Assessment Plan (SAP), and allows for phased identification and evaluation of historic properties.

   Based on the public comments received in response to the EA, the conclusion of required consultations, and public outreach and information meetings, BOEM decided to make certain revisions to the EA originally published in November 2012. As a result of the analysis in the revised EA, BOEM is issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The Commercial Wind Lease Issuance and

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   Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore Massachusetts Revised Environmental Assessment (EA) and the FONSI can be found at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/State-Activities/MA/Commercial-Wind-Leasing-Offshore-Massachusetts.aspx.

   Additional environmental reviews will be conducted upon receipt of a successful Lessee's proposed project-specific plans, such as a SAP or Construction and Operations Plan (COP).

   Deadlines and Milestones for Bidders: This section describes the major deadlines and milestones in the auction process from publication of this PSN to execution of leases pursuant to the sale. These are organized into various stages: (1) The PSN comment period; (2) from the end of PSN comment period to publication of the FSN; (3) the FSN waiting period; (4) conducting the Auction; and (5) from the Auction Stage to Lease Execution.

1. The PSN Comment Period

   Submit Comments: The public is invited to submit comments during this 60-day period.

   Public Seminar: BOEM will host a public seminar to discuss the lease sale process and the auction format.

   Receive Qualifications Materials: All qualifications materials must be received by BOEM by the end of the 60-day PSN comment period. This includes materials sufficient to establish a company's legal, technical and financial qualifications.

2. End of PSN Comment Period to FSN Publication

   Review Comments: BOEM will review all comments submitted in response to the PSN during the comment period.

   Finalize Qualifications Reviews: BOEM will complete any outstanding qualifications reviews using materials that were submitted during the PSN comment period and requested by BOEM prior to the publication of the FSN. The final list of eligible bidders will be published in the FSN.

   Prepare the FSN: BOEM will prepare the FSN by updating the PSN where appropriate.

   Select and Invite Panelists: BOEM will appoint a panel of three BOEM employees for the purposes of reviewing the non-monetary packages and verifying the results of the lease sale.

   Publish FSN: BOEM will publish the FSN in the Federal Register.

3. FSN Waiting Period

   Bidder's Financial Form (BFF): No later than 14 days after publication of the FSN in the Federal Register, eligible bidders must submit a complete and signed BFF to BOEM. Once this information has been processed by BOEM, bidders may log into pay.gov and leave bid deposits. If BOEM does not receive the BFF by the date mentioned in the Federal Register, a company may be disqualified from participating in the auction.

   Bid Deposits: No later than 30 days after publication of the FSN in the Federal Register, bidders must submit a bid deposit meeting the requirements listed in the FSN. Any bidder that fails to submit the bid deposit by the deadline included in the FSN may be disqualified from participating in the auction.

   Non-Monetary Package: No later than 30 days after publication of the FSN in the Federal Register, bidders seeking a non-

   monetary credit must submit a non-monetary package meeting the requirements listed in the FSN.

   Mock Auction: BOEM will hold a Mock Auction, open to qualified sale bidders only. The Mock Auction will take place approximately one week before the lease sale. Final details of the Mock Auction will be provided in the FSN.

4. Conducting the Auction

   BOEM, through its contractor, will hold an auction as described in this notice. The auction will take place no sooner than 30 days following publication of the FSN in the Federal Register. The estimated timeframes described in this notice assume an auction date approximately 45 days after publication of the FSN.

   Convene Panel: The panel will convene to consider non-

   monetary packages submitted by qualified bidders. The panel will send determinations of credit eligibility to BOEM, and BOEM will inform eligible bidders. Bidders will not be informed of the non-monetary credit eligibility of other bidders before the auction.

   Monetary Auction: The monetary auction will be conducted on the date specified in the FSN.

   Announce Provisional Winners: BOEM will announce the provisional winners of the lease sale after the auction ends.

   Reconvene the Panel: The panel will reconvene to verify auction results.

5. From Auction to Lease Execution

   Refund Non-Winners: BOEM will return the bid deposit of any bidder that did not win a lease in the lease sale. BOEM will provide a written explanation of why the bidder did not win.

   Department of Justice (DOJ) Review: BOEM will allow DOJ 30 days in which to conduct an antitrust review of the auction, pursuant to 43 U.S.C. 1337(c), which reads, in relevant part:

   Antitrust review of lease sales. Following each notice of a proposed lease sale and before the acceptance of bids and the issuance of leases based on such bids, the Secretary of the Department of the Interior shall allow the Attorney General, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, 30 days to review the results of such lease sale, except that the Attorney General, after consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, may agree to a shorter review period.

   Delivery of Leases: BOEM will send three lease copies to each winner, with instructions on how to execute the leases. The first year's rent payment is due 45 days after the winner receives the lease copies for execution.

   Return the Leases: The auction winners will have 10 business days from receiving the lease copies in which to file financial assurance, pay any outstanding balance of their bonus bids, and return the three executed lease copies.

   Execution of Leases: Once BOEM has received the signed lease copies and verified that all required materials have been received, BOEM will make a final determination regarding its execution of the leases and will execute the leases if appropriate.

   Financial Terms and Conditions: This section provides an overview of the basic annual payments required of a Lessee that will be fully described in each lease, and the financial assurance requirements that will be associated with each lease.

   BOEM has proposed these financial terms and conditions in this PSN and in the four commercial leases that accompany the PSN. However, BOEM recognizes that there may be concerns related to the potential costs associated with development of commercial wind energy projects in the water depths associated with the Massachusetts WEA. Therefore, BOEM is requesting comments in order to evaluate whether the following modifications to said terms and conditions are warranted: (1) Reduction of the annual rent to less than $3 per acre; (2) reduction of the annual rent for any project easement associated with the lease; and (3) reduction of the annual operating fee rate to less than 0.02 (i.e., 2%). If a potential bidder is interested in obtaining a lease that

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   reflects the adjustments to the financial terms and conditions described above, then that party should submit their qualifications package during the comment period of this PSN, in addition to submitting comments and proposed revisions to the financial terms and conditions.

   Rent

   The first year's rent payment of $3 per acre for the entire Lease Area (LA) is due within 45 days of the date the Lessee receives the lease for execution. Thereafter, annual rent payments are due on the anniversary of the Effective Date of the lease, i.e., the Lease Anniversary. Once the first commercial operations under the lease begin, rent will be charged on the remaining part of the lease not authorized for commercial operations, i.e., not generating electricity. However, instead of geographically dividing the LA into acreage that is ``generating'' and acreage that is ``non-generating,'' the fraction of the lease accruing rent is based on the fraction of the total nameplate capacity of the project that is not yet in operation. The fraction is the nameplate capacity (as defined herein), which is not yet authorized for commercial operations at the time payment is due, divided by the maximum nameplate capacity after full installation of the project, as defined in the COP. This fraction is then multiplied by the amount of rent that would be due for the Lessee's entire LA at the rental rate of $3 per acre, to obtain the annual rent due for a given year.

   For example, for a lease the size of 742,978 acres (the size of the entire Massachusetts WEA), the amount of rent payment would be $2,228,934 per year if no portion of the leased area is authorized for commercial operations. If 500 megawatts (MW) of a project's nameplate capacity is operating (or authorized for operation), and its most recent approved COP specifies a maximum nameplate capacity of 1000 MW, the rent payment would be $1,114,467. For the above example, this would be calculated as follows: 500 MW/1000 MW x ($3/acre x 742,978 acres) = $1,114,467.

   The Lessee also must pay rent for any project easement associated with the lease commencing on the date that BOEM approves the COP (or COP modification) that describes the project easement. Annual rent for a project easement 200-feet wide and centered on the transmission cable is $70.00 per statute mile. For any additional acreage required, the Lessee must also pay the greater of $5.00 per acre per year or $450.00 per year.

   BOEM is requesting comments and supporting information to determine whether it should modify rent payments for the commercial leases to be executed for the Massachusetts WEA.

   Operating Fee

   For the purposes of calculating the initial annual proposed operating fee payment, an operating fee rate is applied to a proxy for the wholesale market value of the electricity expected to be generated from the project during its first twelve months of operations. This initial payment is prorated to reflect the period between the commencement of commercial operations and the Lease Anniversary. The initial annual operating fee payment is due within 45 days of the commencement of commercial operations. Thereafter, subsequent annual operating fee payments are due on or before each Lease Anniversary. The subsequent annual operating fee payments are calculated by multiplying an operating fee rate by the imputed wholesale market value of the projected annual electric power production. For the purposes of this calculation, the imputed market value is the product of the project's annual nameplate capacity, the total number of hours in the year (8,760), a capacity utilization factor, and the annual average price of electricity derived from a historical regional wholesale power price index. For example, an annual operating fee for a 100 MW wind facility operating at 40% capacity with a regional wholesale power price of $40/

   MWh under an operating fee rate of 0.02 (i.e., 2%) would be calculated as follows: Annual operating fee = 100 MW x 8,670 hours/year x 0.4 x $40/MWh power price x 0.02.

   Operating Fee Rate: BOEM is proposing a fixed operating fee rate of 0.02 (i.e., 2%) during the project's entire life of commercial operations. BOEM is requesting comments and supporting information to determine whether it should modify the proposed operating fee rate for the commercial lease agreements to be executed for the Massachusetts WEA.

   Nameplate Capacity: Nameplate capacity is the maximum rated electric output, expressed in MW, which the turbines of the wind facility under commercial operations can produce at their rated wind speed as designated by the turbine's manufacturer. The nameplate capacity at the start of each year of commercial operations on the lease will be specified in the COP. For example, if a Lessee has 20 turbines under commercial operations rated by the design manufacturer at 5 MW of output each, the nameplate capacity of the wind facility at the rated wind speed of the turbines would be 100 MW.

   Capacity Factor: The capacity factor relates to the amount of energy delivered to the grid during a period of time compared to the amount of energy the wind facility would have produced at full capacity during that same period of time. This factor is represented as a decimal between zero and one. There are several reasons why the amount of power delivered is less than the theoretical 100% of capacity. For a wind facility, the capacity factor is mostly determined by the availability of wind. Transmission line loss and down time for maintenance or other purposes also affect the capacity factor.

   The capacity factor for the year in which the Commercial Operation Date occurs and for the first six full years of commercial operations on the lease is set to 0.4 (i.e., 40%) to allow for one year of installation and testing followed by five years at full availability. At the end of the sixth year, the capacity factor may be adjusted to reflect the performance over the previous five years based upon the actual metered electricity generation at the delivery point to the electrical grid. Similar adjustments to the capacity factor may be made once every five years thereafter. The maximum change in the capacity factor from one period to the next will be limited to plus or minus 10 percent of the previous period's value.

   Wholesale Power Price Index: The wholesale power price, expressed in dollars per MW-hour, is determined at the time each annual operating fee payment is due, based on the weighted average of the inflation-

   adjusted peak and off-peak spot price indices for the Northeast--

   Massachusetts Hub power market for the most recent year of data available as reported by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as part of its annual State of the Markets Report with specific reference to the summary entitled, ``Electric Market Overview: Regional Spot Prices.'' The wholesale power price is adjusted for inflation from the year associated with the published spot price indices to the year in which the operating fee is to be due based on the Lease Anniversary using annual implicit price deflators as reported by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis.

   Financial Assurance

   Within 10 business days after receiving the lease copies, the provisional winner must provide an initial lease-specific bond or other approved means of meeting the Lessor's

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   initial financial assurance requirements, in the amount of $100,000. BOEM will base the amount of all SAP, COP, and decommissioning financial assurance requirements on estimates of cost to meet all accrued lease obligations. The amount of supplemental and decommissioning financial assurance requirements will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

   The financial terms can be found in Addendum ``B'' of the proposed leases, which BOEM has made available with this notice on its Web site at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/State-Activities/Massachusetts.aspx.

   Place and Time: The auction will be held online. The time that the auction will be held will be published in the FSN. The date has not been finalized, but will be no earlier than 30 days after publication of the FSN in the Federal Register.

   Public Seminar: BOEM will host a public seminar to introduce potential bidders and other stakeholders to the auction format provided in the PSN, explain the auction rules, and demonstrate the auction process. The time and place of the seminar will be announced by BOEM and published on the BOEM Web site. No registration or RSVP will be required to attend.

   Mock Auction: BOEM will host a Mock Auction to educate qualified bidders about the procedures to be employed during the auction and to answer questions. The Mock Auction will take place between the publication of the FSN in the Federal Register and the date of the auction. Following publication of the FSN in the Federal Register, details of the Mock Auction will be distributed to those eligible to participate in the auction. All qualified bidders that intend to participate in the auction are strongly encouraged to participate in the Mock Auction. Bidders will be eligible to participate in the Mock Auction if they have been legally, technically and financially qualified to participate in the lease sale, and have submitted an adequate bid deposit as discussed herein.

   Bid Deposit: A bid deposit is an advance cash deposit submitted to BOEM in order to participate in the auction. No later than the deadline provided in the FSN, each bidder must have submitted a bid deposit of $450,000 per unit of desired initial eligibility. Each lease is worth one unit of bid eligibility in the auction. Any participant intending to bid on only one of the leases during the auction must submit a bid deposit of $450,000. The required bid deposit for any participant intending to bid on multiple leases in the first round of the auction will be the number of leases the bidder intends to bid on multiplied by $450,000. For example, the required bid deposit for any participant intending to bid on three leases in the first round of the auction will be $1,350,000. Any bidder that fails to submit the bid deposit by the deadline described in the FSN may be disqualified from participating in the auction. Bid deposits will be accepted online via pay.gov. Following publication of the FSN, each bidder must fill out the BFF included in the FSN. BOEM has made a copy of the proposed BFF available with this notice on its Web site at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/State-Activities/Massachusetts.aspx. This form requests that each bidder designate an email address, which the bidder should use to create an account in pay.gov. After establishing the pay.gov account, bidders may use the Bid Deposit Form on the pay.gov Web site to leave a deposit.

   Following the auction, bid deposits will be applied against any bonus bids or other obligations owed to BOEM. If the bid deposit exceeds a bidder's total financial obligation, the balance of the bid deposit will be refunded to the bidder. BOEM will refund bid deposits to unsuccessful bidders.

   Minimum Bid: In this auction, approximately 187,523 acres will be offered for sale as Lease OCS-A 0500, approximately 166,886 acres will be offered for sale as Lease OCS-A 0501, approximately 248,015 acres will be offered for sale as Lease OCS-A 0502, and approximately 140,554 acres will be offered for sale as Lease OCS-A 0503. BOEM proposes for this lease sale a minimum bid of $2 per acre for each LA. Therefore, the minimum acceptable bid will be $375,046 for Lease OCS-A 0500, $333,772 for Lease OCS-A 0501, $496,030 for Lease OCS-A 0502, and $281,108 for Lease OCS-A 0503.

   Area Offered for Leasing: The area described for leasing in this PSN is the same as the Massachusetts WEA described as the proposed action and preferred alternative in the EA. The area proposed to be available for sale will be auctioned as four leases: Lease OCS-A 0500, Lease OCS-A 0501, Lease OCS-A 0502, and Lease OCS-A 0503. Lease OCS-A 0500 consists of 187,523 acres, Lease OCS-A 0501 consists of 166,886 acres, Lease OCS-A 0502 consists of 248,015 acres, and Lease OCS-A 0503 consists of 140,554 acres. The total area is approximately 742,978 acres. If there are adequate bids, four leases will be issued pursuant to this lease sale. A description of the LAs can be found in Addendum ``A'' of the proposed leases, which BOEM has made available with this notice on its Web site at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/State-Activities/Massachusetts.aspx.

   Map of the Area Offered for Leasing

   A map of the four proposed LAs and a table of the boundary coordinates in X, Y (eastings, northings) UTM Zone 18, NAD83 Datum and geographic X, Y (longitude, latitude), NAD83 Datum can be found at the following URL: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/State-Activities/Massachusetts.aspx.

   A large scale map of these areas showing boundaries of the area with numbered blocks is available from BOEM at the following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 381 Elden Street, HM 1328, Herndon, Virginia 20170, Phone: (703) 787-

   1320, Fax: (703) 787-1708.

   Delineation of the Leasing Areas

   BOEM commissioned the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop a methodology for delineation of the Massachusetts WEA into non-overlapping LAs for BOEM to consider for inclusion in this PSN. NREL obtained relevant information related to the Massachusetts WEA, such as bathymetry and wind speed information, and calculated gross capacity and annual energy production using different wind turbine generator spacing and layout scenarios. BOEM provided NREL with the industry nominations received in response to previously published notices associated with BOEM's Massachusetts offshore wind planning process to inform this analysis. Additionally, NREL conducted wake effects analysis with the goal of minimizing wake effects between LAs. NREL also provided draft reports and presented the draft and final findings to the BOEM Massachusetts Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force. NREL's final report, entitled ``Assessment of Offshore Wind Energy Leasing Areas for the BOEM Massachusetts Wind Energy Area,'' was released on December 20, 2013, and is available on BOEM's Web site at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/State-Activities/Massachusetts.aspx.

   In the final report, NREL presented three alternatives for BOEM's consideration for delineation of the Massachusetts WEA: Alternative 1 consists of four LAs divided along diagonal lines parallel to the prevailing wind direction (southwest to northeast)

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   and perpendicular to the bathymetry; Alternative 2 consists of five LAs divided along diagonal lines parallel to the prevailing wind direction and perpendicular to the bathymetry; and Alternative 3 consists of five LAs, four divided along diagonal lines parallel to the prevailing wind direction and perpendicular to the bathymetry, and the fifth comprised mostly of water depths greater than 50 meters. In the final report, NREL indicated that their preferred delineation option is Alternative 2 because it would maximize the development potential of the Massachusetts WEA. After sharing the results of NREL's analysis with the BOEM Massachusetts Intergovernmental Task Force, BOEM received one comment from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts indicating that their preferred delineation would be Alternative 1 because it would allow individual lessees the maximum flexibility in designing projects.

   In this PSN, BOEM is proposing to auction the Massachusetts WEA as four leasing areas as described in Alternative 1 of NREL's final report. However, potential bidders should note that BOEM may choose to offer for sale the LAs outlined in Alternative 2 or 3 of NREL's final report, after considering the comments submitted in response to the PSN. BOEM will announce its final decision as to the Massachusetts WEA leasing areas that will be offered for sale in the FSN.

   Withdrawal of Blocks: Interested parties should note that BOEM reserves the right to withdraw portions of the LAs prior to its execution of a lease based upon comments received in response to this PSN and other relevant information provided to the Bureau.

   Lease Terms and Conditions: The proposed leases contain proposed lease terms, conditions and stipulations for OCS commercial wind leases in the Massachusetts WEA. BOEM reserves the right to add additional terms and conditions to any approval or approval with modifications of a SAP and/or COP. The proposed leases, including Addendum ``C'', are available on BOEM's Web site at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/State-Activities/Massachusetts.aspx. Each proposed lease includes the following seven attachments:

   Addendum ``A'' (Description of Leased Area and Lease Activities);

   Addendum ``B'' (Lease Term and Financial Schedule);

   Addendum ``C'' (Lease Specific Terms, Conditions, and Stipulations);

   Addendum ``D'' (Project Easement);

   Addendum ``E'' (Rent Schedule);

   Appendix A to Addendum ``C'': (Incident Report: Protected Species Injury or Mortality); and

   Appendix B to Addendum ``C'': (Required Data Elements for Protected Species Observer Reports).

   Addenda ``A'', ``B'', and ``C'' provide detailed descriptions of lease terms and conditions. Addenda ``D'' and ``E'' will be completed at the time of COP approval.

   After considering comments on the PSN and proposed leases, BOEM will publish final lease terms and conditions in the FSN.

   Required Plans for Potential Development of Executed Leases

   Pursuant to 30 CFR 585.601, the leaseholder must submit a SAP within 12 months of lease issuance. If the leaseholder intends to continue its commercial lease with an operations term, the leaseholder must submit a COP at least 6 months before the end of the site assessment term.

   The commercial wind leasing areas proposed for sale in this PSN are among the largest delineated by BOEM to date. In light of this, BOEM is soliciting comments on the concept of executing commercial leases for the Massachusetts WEA with an operations term greater than the 25 years proposed in this PSN. If a potential bidder is interested in obtaining a lease that reflects the adjustments to the operations term described above, then that party should submit their comments and qualifications package during the comment period of this PSN. The decision whether to execute leases with an operations term greater than 25 years will be made in accordance with 30 CFR 585.235.

   Qualifications--Who May Bid: Any potential bidder that has not already submitted a complete set of qualifications materials must do so by the end of the 60-day comment period of this PSN. To be eligible to participate in the auction, each potential bidder must have been found by BOEM to be legally, technically and financially qualified under BOEM's regulations at 30 CFR 585.106-107 by the time the FSN for this sale is published. Please note that technical and financial qualifications are lease-specific; it is not sufficient to have been technically and financially qualified to pursue a project offshore another state.

   Guidance and examples of the appropriate documentation demonstrating the required legal qualifications can be found in Chapter 2 and Appendix B of Guidelines for the Minerals Management Service Renewable Energy Framework, available on BOEM's Web site at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/Regulatory-Information/Index.aspx. Guidance regarding how bidders may demonstrate their technical and financial qualifications is provided in Qualification Guidelines to Acquire and Hold Renewable Energy Leases and Grants and Alternate Use Grants on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, available on BOEM's Web site at: http://boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/Regulatory-Information/QualificationGuidelines-pdf.aspx. BOEM strongly recommends that bidders refer to this guidance before submitting their qualification materials, as the guidance is updated periodically.

   Bidders must submit documentation necessary to demonstrate their legal, technical, and financial qualifications to BOEM in both paper and electronic formats. BOEM considers an Adobe PDF file stored on a compact disc (CD) to be an acceptable format for submitting an electronic copy. In their qualification materials, bidders must provide a general description of the project that they would like to construct on the LA sought in this sale, including estimates of the project area and total nameplate capacity of the proposed facilities.

   Please note that it may take a number of weeks for bidders to establish their legal, technical, and financial qualifications. BOEM advises potential bidders planning to participate in a sale to establish their qualifications promptly. It is not uncommon for BOEM to request additional materials establishing qualifications following an initial review of the qualifications package. Any potential bidder whose qualification package is incomplete at the time the FSN for this sale is published in the Federal Register will be found to have failed to establish its qualifications and will be unable to participate in the sale.

   Finally, potentially interested parties should note that BOEM may decide to move forward with one of the other two LA alternatives outlined in NREL's final report, based upon comments received in response to this PSN and other relevant information provided to the Bureau. Potentially interested parties should also note that BOEM is considering (1) lowering certain payment requirements, and (2) lengthening the operations terms associated with the proposed commercial leases, as described earlier in this PSN. If a potential bidder is interested in obtaining a lease included in any of the the leasing alternatives outlined in NREL's final report and/or is interested in obtaining a lease with the adjustments to the financial terms and

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   conditions and/or operations term described in this PSN, then that party should submit their qualifications package during the comment period of this PSN.

   Auction Procedures

   Summary

   For the sale of Lease OCS-A 0500, Lease OCS-A 0501, Lease OCS-A 0502, and Lease OCS-A 0503, BOEM will use a multiple-factor auction format with a multiple-factor bidding system. Under this system, BOEM may consider a combination of monetary and non-monetary factors, or ``variables,'' in determining the outcome of the auction. BOEM will appoint a panel of three BOEM employees for the purposes of reviewing the non-monetary packages and verifying the results of the lease sale. BOEM reserves the right to change the composition of this panel prior to the date of the lease sale. The panel will determine whether any bidder has earned a non-monetary credit to be used during the auction (i.e., if a bidder holds a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) or a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)), and if one or more bidders have earned such a credit, the percentage that the credit will be worth. The auction will balance consideration of two variables: (1) A cash bid, and (2) a non-monetary credit. In sum, these two variables comprise the multi-factor bid or ``As-Bid'' auction price. A bidder's As-Bid price, which is the sum of its cash bid and any credit portion earned, will either meet BOEM's asking price or be reflected in the bidder's own Intra-Round Bid price subject to certain conditions, as described more fully herein. A multiple-factor auction, wherein both monetary and nonmonetary bid variables are considered, is provided under BOEM's regulations at 30 CFR 585.220(a)(4) and 585.221(a)(6).

   Overview of the Multiple-Factor Bidding Format Proposed for This Sale

   Under a multiple-factor bidding format, as set forth at 30 CFR 585.220(a)(4), BOEM may consider a combination of factors as part of a bid. The regulations state that one bid proposal per bidder will be accepted, but do not further specify the procedures to be followed in the multiple-factor format. This multiple-factor format is intended to allow BOEM flexibility in administering the auction and in balancing the variables presented. The regulations leave to BOEM the determination of how to administer the multiple-factor auction format to ensure the receipt of a fair return under the Act, 43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(2)(A).

   BOEM's regulations at 30 CFR 585.220(a)(4) allow for a multi-round auction in which each bidder may submit only one proposal per LA or for a set of LAs in each round of the auction. The auction will be conducted in a series of rounds. At the start of each round, BOEM will state an asking price for each LA offered. The asking price for a bid on more than one LA is the sum of the asking prices for each LA in the bid. Each bidder will indicate whether it is willing to meet the asking price for one or more LAs. A bid submitted at the full asking price for one or more LAs in a particular round is referred to as a ``live bid.'' A bidder must submit a live bid for at least one of the LAs in each round to participate in the next round of the auction. As long as there is at least one LA that is included in two or more live bids, the auction continues, and the next round is held.

   A bidder's As-Bid price must meet the asking price in order for it to be considered a live bid. A bidder may meet the asking price by submitting a monetary bid equal to the asking price or, if it has earned a credit, by submitting a multiple-factor bid--that is, a live bid that consists of a monetary element and a non-monetary element, the sum of which equals the asking price. A multiple-factor bid would consist of the sum of a cash portion and any credit portion which the bidder has earned.

   An uncontested bid is a live bid that does not overlap with other live bids in that round. For example, a bid for two LAs is considered contested if any LA included in that bid is included in another bid--a bid cannot be ``partially uncontested.'' An uncontested bid represents the only apparent interest in that bid's LA(s) at the asking price for that round. If a bidder submits an uncontested bid consisting of one or more LAs, and the auction continues for another round, BOEM automatically carries that same live bid forward as a live bid into the next round, and BOEM's asking price for the LA(s) contained in the uncontested bid would remain unchanged from the previous round. If the price on any LAs in that bid rises later in the auction because another bidder places a live bid on one or more of those LAs, BOEM will stop automatically carrying forward the previously uncontested bid. Once the asking price(s) goes up, the bidder that placed the previously carried-

   forward bid is free to bid on either LA at the new asking price(s).

   Following each round in which a LA is contained in more than one live bid, BOEM will raise the asking price for that LA by an increment determined by BOEM. The auction concludes when each LA is included in no more than one live bid. The series of rounds and the rising asking prices set by BOEM will facilitate consideration of the first variable--the cash portion of the bid.

   The second variable--a credit of 5% of a monetary bid for holding a CBA or a credit of up to 25% of a monetary bid for holding a PPA--will be applied throughout the auction rounds as a form of imputed payment against the asking price for the highest priced LA in a bidder's multiple-factor bid. This credit serves to supplement the amount of a cash bid proposal made by a particular bidder in each round. In the case of a bidder holding a credit and bidding on more than one LA, the credit will be applied only on the LA with the highest asking price. More details on the non-monetary factors are found in the ``Credit Factors'' section herein.

   The panel will evaluate non-monetary packages consisting of any CBA or PPA to determine whether it meets the criteria provided in the FSN, and therefore whether it will qualify for a credit for its holder. It is possible that the panel could determine that no bidder qualifies for a non-monetary credit during the auction, in which case the auction would otherwise proceed as described in the FSN. The panel will determine the winning bids for each LA on the basis of the procedures described in the FSN.

   Details of the Auction Process

   Bidding--Live Bids

   Each bidder is allowed to submit a live bid for any number of LAs based on its ``eligibility'' at the opening of each round. A bidder's eligibility is either four, three, two, one, or zero LAs, and it corresponds to the maximum number of LAs that a bidder may include in a live bid during a single round of the auction. A bidder's initial eligibility is determined based on the amount of the bid deposit submitted by the bidder prior to the auction. To be eligible to offer a bid on one LA at the start of the auction, a bidder must submit a bid deposit of $450,000. To be eligible to offer a bid on two LAs in the first round of the auction, the bidder must submit a bid deposit of $900,000; for three LAs, the bid deposit is $1,350,000; for four LAs, the bid deposit is $1,800,000. A bidder's bid deposit will be used by BOEM as a down payment on any monetary obligations incurred by the bidder should it be awarded a lease.

   As the auction proceeds, a bidder's eligibility is determined by the number

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   of LAs included in its live bid submitted in the round prior to the current round. That is, if a bidder submitted a live bid on one LA in the previous round, that bidder may submit a bid that includes at most one LA in the current round. If a bidder submitted a live bid comprised of two or more LAs in the previous round, that bidder may submit a live bid that also includes that number of LAs in the current round. Unless a bidder has an uncontested bid that is carried forward into the next round, a bidder that submitted a live bid for one or more LAs also may choose to submit a live bid with fewer LAs than the maximum number it is eligible to include in its bid. Thus, eligibility in successive rounds may stay the same or go down, but it can never go up.

   In the first round of the auction, bidders have the following options:

   A bidder with an initial eligibility of one (that is, a bidder who submitted a bid deposit of $450,000) may:

   Submit a live bid on any of the four LAs, or

   Submit nothing, and drop out of the auction.

   A bidder with an initial eligibility of more than one (that is, a bidder who submitted a bid deposit of $900,000 up to $1,800,000) may:

   Submit a live bid for any number of LAs up to its bid eligibility, or

   Submit nothing, and drop out of the auction.

   There is no requirement that the LAs contained in a live bid be contiguous. A bidder who has included multiple LAs in a live bid can include any combination of LAs up to the bidder's bid eligibility. Before each subsequent round of the auction, BOEM will raise the asking price for any LA that was contained in more than one live bid in the previous round. BOEM will not raise the asking price for a LA that was in only one or no live bids in the previous round.

   Asking price increments will be determined by BOEM, in its sole discretion. BOEM will base asking price increments on a number of factors, including:

   Making the increments sufficiently large that the auction will not take an unduly long time to conclude; and

   Decreasing the increments as the asking price of a LA nears its apparent final price.

   BOEM reserves the right during the auction to increase or decrease increments if it determines, in its sole discretion, that a different increment is warranted to enhance the efficiency of the auction process. Asking prices for the LAs included in multiple live bids in the previous round will be raised and rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount to obtain the asking prices in the current round.

   A bidder must submit a live bid in each round of the auction (or have an uncontested live bid automatically carried forward by BOEM) for it to remain active and continue bidding in future rounds. All of the live bids submitted in any round of the auction will be preserved and considered binding until determination of the winning bids is made. Therefore, the bidders are responsible for payment of the bids they submit and can be held accountable for up to the maximum amount of those bids determined to be winning bids during the final award procedures.

   Between rounds, BOEM will release the following information to the bidders:

   The level of demand for each LA in the previous round of the auction (i.e., the number of live bids that included the LA); and

   The asking price for each LA in the upcoming round of the auction.

   In any subsequent round of the auction, if a bidder's previous round bid was uncontested, and the auction continues for another round, then BOEM will automatically carry forward that bid as a live bid in the next round. A bidder whose bid is being carried forward will not have an opportunity to modify or drop its bid until some other bidder submits a live bid that overlaps with the LA(s) in the carried forward bid. In particular, for rounds in which a bidder finds its uncontested bid is carried forward, the bidder will be unable to do the following:

   Switch to any other LAs;

   Submit an Intra-Round Bid (see herein for discussion of Intra-Round Bids); or

   Drop out of the auction.

   A bidder may be bound by that bid or, indeed, by any other bid which BOEM determines is a winning bid in the award stage. Hence, a bidder cannot drop an uncontested bid. In no scenario can a bidder be relieved of any of its bids from previous or future rounds until a determination is made in the award stage about the LAs won by the bidder.

   Except when a bidder's bid is being carried forward by BOEM (i.e., an uncontested bid), a bidder with an eligibility of one (that is, a bidder who submitted a live bid for one LA in the previous round) may:

   Submit a live bid for any of the four LAs;

   Submit an Intra-Round Bid for the same LA for which the bidder submitted a live in the previous round, and exit the auction; or

   Submit nothing, and drop out of the auction.

   A bidder with an eligibility of two or more (that is, a bidder who submitted a live bid for two or more LAs in the previous round) may:

   Submit a live bid for any number of LAs up to its eligibility;

   Submit an Intra-Round Bid for the specific combination of LAs in that bidder's previous-round bid, and a live bid for any number of LAs fewer than the number of LAs in that bidder's previous-round bid;

   Submit an Intra-Round Bid for the specific combination of LAs in that bidder's previous-round bid, no live bids, and exit the auction; or

   Submit nothing, and drop out of the auction.

   Subsequent auction rounds occur in this sale as long as one of the four LAs is contested. The auction concludes at the end of the round in which none of the LAs is included in the live bid of more than one bidder, i.e., all live bids are uncontested.

   Bidding--Intra-Round Bids

   All asking prices and asking price increments will be determined by the BOEM Auction Manager, as described previously in this PSN. Intra-

   Round Bidding allows bidders to more precisely express the maximum price they are willing to offer for a single LA or for a combination of LAs while also minimizing the chance of ties. An Intra-Round Bid must consist of a single offer price for exactly the same LA(s) included in the bidder's live bid in the previous round.

   When submitting an Intra-Round Bid, the bidder is indicating that it is not willing to meet the current round's asking price, but it is willing to pay more than the previous round's asking price. In particular, in an Intra-Round Bid, the bidder specifies the maximum (higher than the previous round's asking price and less than the current round's asking price) that it is willing to offer for the specific LA(s) in its previous round's live bid.

   Although an Intra-Round Bid is not a live bid, in the round in which a valid Intra-Round Bid is submitted for any number of LAs, the bidder's eligibility for a live bid in that same round and future rounds is permanently reduced from including the amount of LAs in the previous round to one less than that. In other words, once an Intra-

   Round Bid is submitted, the bidder will never again have the opportunity to submit a live bid on as many LAs as it has bid in previous rounds.

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   BOEM will not consider Intra-Round Bids for the purpose of determining whether to increase the asking price for a particular LA or to end the auction. Also, BOEM will not count nor share with bidders between rounds the number of Intra-Round Bids received for each LA.

   All of the Intra-Round Bids submitted during the auction will be preserved, and may be determined to be winning bids. Therefore, bidders are responsible for payment of the bids they submit and may be held accountable for up to the maximum amount of any Intra-Round Bids or live bids determined to be winning bids during the final award procedures.

   Determining Provisional Winners

   After the bidding ends, BOEM will determine the provisionally winning bids in accordance with the process described in this section. This process consists of two stages: Stage 1 and Stage 2, which are described herein. Once the auction itself ends, nothing further is required of bidders within or between Stages 1 and 2. In practice, the stages of the process will take place as part of the solution algorithm for analyzing the monetary and credit portion of the bids, determining provisional winners, finding the LAs won by the provisional winners, and calculating the applicable bid prices to be paid by the winners for the LAs they won. This evaluation will be reviewed, checked, and validated by the panel. The determination of provisional winners, in both stages, will be based on the two auction variables, as well as on a bidder's adherence to the rules of the auction, and the absence of conduct detrimental to the integrity of the competitive auction.

   Stage 1

   Live bids submitted in the final round of the auction are Qualified Bids. In Stage 1, a bidder with a Qualified Bid is provisionally assured of winning the LA(s) included in its final round bid, regardless of any other prior-to-final round live bids or Intra-Round Bids in any round. If all LAs are awarded to bidders in Stage 1, the second award stage is not necessary. If any LA received a bid but was not awarded in Stage 1 because no live bids were received in the final round of the auction, BOEM will proceed to Stage 2 to award the leases.

   Following the auction, all winning bidders must pay the price associated with their winning bids, which may consist of cash and non-

   monetary credits or just cash.

   Stage 2

   All bids are either Qualified Bids or Contingent Bids. Contingent bids are all live bids received before the final round, and any Intra-

   Round Bids received during the auction. In Stage 2, BOEM will consider Contingent Bids to see if the non-awarded LA(s) can be awarded without interfering with Stage 1 awards. BOEM will award leases in Stage 2 to the bid(s) that maximize(s) the total As-Bid prices.

   Any Contingent Bids that conflict with Qualified Bids will not be considered. There is one notable exception to this rule. This exception allows BOEM to accept a Contingent Bid for a combination of LAs notwithstanding the existence of a Qualified Bid, provided the acceptance of the Contingent Bid for these LAs results in higher overall As-Bid prices than acceptance of only the Qualified Bid. In this scenario, a bidder would be awarded the LAs included in the Contingent Bid and would be required to pay its live bid price or its Intra-Round Bid price for those LAs included in the Contingent Bid.

   This exception represents the only situation in which BOEM will consider for award a Contingent Bid which overlaps a Qualified Bid. In contrast, there is no situation in which one bidder's Contingent Bid will be considered for award if it overlaps with any LA that is included in another bidder's Qualified Bid.

   Under certain circumstances, different combinations of Contingent Bids may result in the same total As-Bid price. In such cases, BOEM will resolve the resulting tie with a random drawing.

   In the event a bidder submits a bid for a LA that the panel and BOEM determine to be a winning bid, the bidder will be expected to sign the applicable lease documents in a timely manner and submit the full cash payment due, pursuant to 30 CFR 585.224. If a bidder fails to timely sign and pay for the lease, then BOEM will not issue the lease to that bidder, and the bidder will forfeit its bid deposit. BOEM may consider failure of a bidder to timely pay the full amount due an indication that the bidder is no longer financially qualified to participate in other lease sales under BOEM's regulations at 30 CFR 585.106 and 585.107.

   Credit Factors

   Shortly before the auction, BOEM will convene a panel (as provided in BOEM's regulations, discussed above) to evaluate bidders' non-

   monetary packages to determine whether and to what extent each bidder is eligible for a non-monetary credit applicable to the As-Bid auction price for one of the LAs in each round of the auction, as described herein. In order to receive a credit for a PPA or a CBA, a bidder must be legally, technically and financially eligible to acquire a commercial OCS wind lease, and must not be affiliated with any other bidding entity also seeking credit for the same PPA or CBA.

   The percentage credit that will be applicable to each bidder throughout the auction and award process is determined based on the panel's evaluation of required documentation submitted by the bidders as of the deadline specified in the FSN. Bidders will be informed by email before the monetary auction about the percentage credit applicable to their bids. A bidder may not receive more than one bid credit, and the bid credit will be applicable to only one LA. Any non-

   monetary credit would only be applicable to the highest priced LA in a bid for multiple LAs. For an Intra-Round Bid containing multiple LAs, the highest priced LA will be determined using the previous round's asking prices. In each round, the auction system will display to each bidder information showing how their As-Bid auction prices are affected by the credit imputed to their bid to determine their net monetary payment due to BOEM, should their bids prevail as winning bids in the award stages. Application of the credit percentage to the appropriate As-Bid auction price will be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.

   The bidder's credit percentage is limited to the greater of 5% for a CBA or up to 25% for a PPA. This credit percentage will be applied to the highest priced LA related to the bidder's latest live bid or Intra-

   Round Bid. In the case of an Intra-Round Bid for multiple LAs, the credit will apply only to the highest-priced LA, but the applicable price for calculating the credit will be based on the previous round's asking prices, not on any additional amount above the previous round's asking prices as reflected in the incremental amount associated with its Intra-Round Bid.

   The panel will review the non-monetary package submitted by each bidder and, based on the criteria provided in the FSN for a CBA and PPA, determine whether bidders have established that they are qualified to receive a credit, and the percentage at which that credit will apply. If the panel determines that no bidder has qualified for a non-

   monetary factor, the auction will proceed with each bidder registered with no imputed credit.

   Credit Factor Definitions

   The definitions herein will apply to the factors for which bidders may earn a credit.

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   Community Benefits Agreements (CBA). BOEM proposes a 5% credit in the monetary phase of the auction to any bidder that can demonstrate that it has executed a CBA, as defined in this section. BOEM is proposing this non-monetary factor and credit in response to comments requesting CBAs be recognized in the multiple-factor auction format received in response to notices associated with the Massachusetts planning and environmental review process. BOEM received comments recommending that a non-monetary factor for CBAs be given a larger percent credit than 5%. BOEM, however, believes that the 5% credit fairly represents the value associated with CBAs that meet the criteria described in this notice. In particular, these criteria, while recognizing the contribution a CBA may provide to the ultimate success of a project, may not require substantial financial consideration in support of the project. For this reason, BOEM has not proposed a larger percentage credit for this non-monetary factor.

   In order for a non-monetary package to qualify for a 5% credit in this auction, the BOEM-appointed panel must answer yes to the following questions:

1. Is there a legally binding contract?

2. Is the contract between:

   1. A bidder; and

   2. One or more community-based organizations (CBO)?

3. Has the bidder committed to provide specified community benefits?

4. Has the CBO committed in specific ways to support the project in the governmental approval process?

   A community-based organization (CBO) is defined as: A legally incorporated organization whose membership includes residents or property owners of a community within the potentially affected region, the local government of the community, or an entity created or managed by the local government(s) of the community or communities.

   Bidders seeking non-monetary credit for a CBA will be required to submit the CBA as part of their non-monetary package by the date specified in the FSN. In addition, bidders must include a description of how the CBA meets the requirements outlined in the FSN. For protection of confidential business information, please see the section entitled ``Protection of Privileged or Confidential Information'' in this notice.

   Power purchase agreement (PPA) is any legally enforceable long-term contract negotiated between an electricity generator (Generator) and a power purchaser (Buyer) that identifies, defines, and stipulates the rights and obligations of one party to produce, and the other party to purchase, energy from an offshore wind project to be located in the lease sale area. The PPA must state that the Generator will sell to the Buyer and the Buyer will buy from the Generator capacity, energy, and/

   or the environmental attributes generated by the project, as defined in the terms and conditions set forth in the PPA. Energy products to be supplied by the Generator and the details of the firm cost recovery mechanism approved by the state's public utility commission or other applicable authority used to recover expenditures incurred as a result of the PPA must be specified in the PPA. To qualify, a PPA must contain the following terms or supporting documentation:

   (i) A complete description of the proposed project;

   (ii) Identification of both the electricity Generator and Buyer that will enter into a long term contract;

   (iii) A time line for permitting, licensing, and construction;

   (iv) Pricing projected under the long term contract being sought, including prices for all market products that would be sold under the proposed long term contract;

   (v) A schedule of quantities of each product to be delivered and projected electrical energy production profiles;

   (vi) The term for the long-term contract;

   (vii) Citations to all filings related to the PPA that have been made with state and Federal agencies, and identification of all such filings that are necessary to be made; and

   (viii) Copies of or citations to interconnection filings related to the PPA.

   If the panel determines a bidder has executed a PPA for at least 250 MW, it will be eligible for the entire 25% credit. If the panel determines a bidder has executed a PPA for an amount less than 250 MW, the bidder may still be eligible for a non-monetary credit proportional to the PPA's fraction of 250 MW. The smaller percentage for a partial credit will be calculated according to the formula below:

   GRAPHIC TIFF OMITTED TN18JN14.000

   Where:

   Partial Credit = Percent credit for which a smaller PPA is eligible.

   Full PPA = 250 MW

   Full Credit = 25%

   Partial PPA = amount (less than 250 MW) of power under contract

   Additional Information Regarding the Auction Format

   Non-Monetary Auction Procedures

   All bidders seeking a non-monetary auction credit will be required to submit a non-monetary auction package prior to the auction. Instructions and deadlines for submittal will be provided in the FSN. If a bidder does not submit a non-monetary package by the date specified in the FSN, then BOEM will assume that bidder is not seeking a non-monetary auction credit and the panel will not consider that bidder for a non-monetary auction credit.

   Bidder Authentication

   Prior to the auction, the Auction Manager will send several bidder authentication packages to each bidder shortly after BOEM has processed the BFFs. One package will contain tokens for each authorized individual. Tokens are digital authentication devices. The tokens will be mailed to the Primary Point of Contact indicated on the BFF. This individual is responsible for distributing the tokens to the individuals authorized to bid for that company. Bidders are to ensure that each token is returned within three business days following the auction. An addressed, stamped envelope will be provided to facilitate this process. In the event that a bidder fails to submit a BFF or a bid deposit, or does not participate in the auction, BOEM will de-activate that bidder's token and login information, and the bidder will be asked to return its tokens.

   The second package contains login credentials for authorized bidders. The login credentials will be mailed to the address provided in the BFF for each authorized individual. Bidders can confirm these addresses by calling (703) 787-1320. This package will contain user login information and instructions for accessing the Auction System Technical Supplement and Alternative Bidding Form. The login information,

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   along with the tokens, will be tested during the Mock Auction.

   Monetary Auction Times

   Specific information regarding when the bidders can enter the auction system and the auction start time will be provided in the FSN. Additional information will be made available in an Auction System Technical Supplement, which will be posted on BOEM's Web site prior to the auction.

   BOEM and the auction contractors will use the auction platform messaging service to keep bidders informed on issues of interest during the auction. For example, BOEM may change the schedule at any time, including during the auction. If BOEM changes the schedule during the auction, it will use the messaging feature to notify bidders that a revision has been made, and direct bidders to the relevant page. BOEM will also use the messaging system for other changes and items of particular note during the auction. The auction schedule and asking price increments are in BOEM's discretion, and are subject to change at any time before or during the auction.

   During the auction, bidders may place bids at any time during the round. At the top of the bidding page, a countdown clock will show how much time remains in the round. Bidders have until the scheduled time to place bids. Bidders should place bids according to the procedures described in the Auction System Technical Supplement, and as practiced at the Mock Auction. No information about the round is available until the round has closed and results have been posted, so there should be no strategic advantage to placing bids early or late in the round.

   Alternate Bidding Procedures

   Any bidder who is unable to place a bid using the online auction and would be interested in placing a bid using the Alternate Bidding Procedures must call BOEM/the BOEM Auction Manager at the help desk number that is listed in the Auction System Technical Supplement before the end of the round. BOEM will authenticate the caller to ensure he/

   she is authorized to bid on behalf of the company. The bidder must explain to the BOEM Auction Manager the reasons for which he/she is forced to place a bid using the Alternate Bidding Procedure. At that time, BOEM may, in its sole discretion, permit or refuse to accept a request for the placement of a bid using the Alternative Bidding Procedure.

   The Alternative Bidding Procedure enables a bidder who is having difficulties accessing the Internet to submit its bid via an Alternative Bidding Form that must be faxed to the Auction Manager. If the bidder has not placed a bid, but calls BOEM before the end of the round and notifies BOEM that it is preparing a bid using the Alternate Bidding Procedure, and submits the Alternate Bidding Form by fax before the round ends, BOEM will likely accept the bid, though acceptance or rejection of the bid is within BOEM's sole discretion. If the bidder calls during the round, but does not submit the bid until after the round ends (but before the round is posted), BOEM may or may not accept the bid, in part based on how much time remains in the recess. Bidders are strongly encouraged to submit the Alternative Bidding Form before the round ends. If the bidder calls during the recess following the round, but before the previous round's results have been posted, BOEM will likely reject its bid, even if it has otherwise complied with all of BOEM's Alternate Bidding Procedures. If the bidder calls to enter a bid after results have been posted, BOEM will reject the bid.

   Except for bidders who have uncontested bids in the current round, failure to place a bid during a round will be interpreted as dropping out of the auction. Bids in all rounds are preserved for consideration in Stage 2 of the award process. Bidders are held accountable for all bids placed during the auction. This is true if they continued bidding in the last round, if they placed an Intra-Round Bid in an earlier round, or if they stopped bidding during the auction.

   Acceptance, Rejection, or Return of Bids: BOEM reserves the right and authority to reject any and all bids. No leases will be awarded to any bidders and no bids will be accepted, unless (1) the bidder has complied with all requirements of the FSN, applicable regulations and statutes, including, among others, those related to bidder qualifications, bid deposits, and adherence to the integrity of the competitive bidding process, (2) the bid conforms with the requirements and rules of the auction, and (3) the amount of the bid has been determined to be adequate by the authorized officer. Any bid submitted that does not satisfy these requirements may be returned to the bidder by the Program Manager of BOEM's Office of Renewable Energy Programs and, in that case, would not be considered for acceptance.

   Process for Issuing the Leases: If BOEM proceeds with lease issuance, it will issue three unsigned copies of the lease form to each winning bidder. Within 10 business days after receiving the lease copies, a winning bidder must:

1. Execute the lease on the bidder's behalf;

2. File financial assurance as required under 30 CFR 585.515-537; and

3. Pay by electronic funds transfer (EFT) the balance of the bonus bid (bid amount less the bid deposit). BOEM requires bidders to use EFT procedures (not to include pay.gov) for payment of the balance of the bonus bid, following the detailed instructions contained in the ``Instructions for Making Electronic Payments'' available on BOEM's Web site at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable- Energy-Program/State-

   Activities/Massachusetts.aspx.

   If a winning bidder does not meet these three requirements within 10 business days of receiving the lease copies as described herein, or if a winning bidder otherwise fails to comply with applicable regulations or the terms of the FSN, the winning bidder will forfeit its bid deposit. BOEM may extend this 10 business-day time period if it determines the delay was caused by events beyond the winning bidder's control.

   In the event that the provisional winner does not execute and return the leases according to the instructions in the FSN, BOEM reserves the right to reconvene the panel to determine whether it is possible to identify a bid that would have won in the absence of the bid previously determined to be the winning bid. In the event that a new winning bid is selected by the panel, BOEM will follow the procedures in this section for the new winner(s).

   BOEM will not execute a lease until (1) the three requirements above have been satisfied, (2) BOEM has accepted the winning bidder's financial assurance, and (3) BOEM has processed the winning bidder's payment. The winning bidder may meet financial assurance requirements by posting a surety bond or by setting up an escrow account with a trust agreement giving BOEM the right to withdraw the money held in the account on demand. BOEM may accept other forms of financial assurance on a case-by-case basis in accordance with its regulations. BOEM encourages provisionally winning bidders to discuss the financial assurance requirement with BOEM as soon as possible after the auction has concluded.

   Within 45 days of the date that the winning bidder receives the lease copies, the winning bidder must pay the first year's rent using the pay.gov Renewable Energy Initial Rental Payment Form available at: https://pay.gov/paygov/forms/formInstance.html?agencyFormId=27797604.

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   Anti-Competitive Behavior: In addition to the auction rules described in this notice, bidding behavior is governed by Federal antitrust laws designed to prevent anticompetitive behavior in the marketplace. Compliance with BOEM's auction procedures will not insulate a party from enforcement of antitrust laws.

   In accordance with the Act at 43 U.S.C. 1337(c), following the auction, and before the acceptance of bids and the issuance of leases, BOEM will ``allow the Attorney General, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, thirty days to review the results of the lease sale.'' If a bidder is found to have engaged in anti-competitive behavior or otherwise violated BOEM's rules in connection with its participation in the competitive bidding process, BOEM may reject the high bid.

   Anti-competitive behavior determinations are fact specific. However, such behavior may manifest itself in several different ways, including, but not limited to:

   An agreement, either express or tacit, among bidders to not bid in an auction, or to bid a particular price;

   An agreement among bidders not to bid for a particular LA;

   An agreement among bidders not to bid against each other; and

   Other agreements among bidders that have the effect of limiting the final auction price.

   BOEM may decline to award a lease if, pursuant to the Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(c)), it is determined by the Attorney General in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission that doing so would be inconsistent with antitrust laws (e.g., heavily concentrated market, etc.).

   For more information on whether specific communications or agreements could constitute a violation of Federal antitrust law, please see: http://www.justice.gov/atr/public/business-resources.html, or consult counsel.

   Bidder's Financial Form Certification: Each bidder is required to sign the self-certification, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1001 (Fraud and False Statements) in the Bidder's Financial Form, which can be found on BOEM's Web site at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/State-Activities/Massachusetts.aspx. The form must be filled out and returned to BOEM in accordance with the ``Deadlines and Milestones for Bidders'' section of this notice.

   Non-Procurement Debarment and Suspension Regulations: Pursuant to regulations at 43 CFR Part 42, Subpart C, an OCS renewable energy Lessee must comply with the U.S. Department of the Interior's non-

   procurement debarment and suspension regulations at 2 CFR 180 and 1400 and agree to communicate the requirement to comply with these regulations to persons with whom the Lessee does business as it relates to this lease by including this term as a condition in their contracts and other transactions.

   Final Sale Notice: BOEM will consider comments received or postmarked during the PSN comment period in preparing a FSN that will provide the final details concerning the offering and issuance of OCS commercial wind energy leases in the Massachusetts WEA. The FSN will be published in the Federal Register at least 30 days before the lease sale is conducted and will provide the date and time of the auction.

   Force Majeure: The Program Manager of BOEM's Office of Renewable Energy Programs has the discretion to change any date, time, and/or location specified in the FSN in case of a force majeure event that the Program Manager deems may interfere with a fair and proper lease sale process. Such events may include, but are not limited to, natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, floods), wars, riots, acts of terrorism, fire, strikes, civil disorder, or other events of a similar nature. In case of such events, bidders should call (703) 787-1300 or access the BOEM Web site at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/index.aspx.

   Appeals: The appeals procedures are provided in BOEM's regulations at 30 CFR 585.225 and 585.118(c). Pursuant to 30 CFR 585.225.

   (a) If BOEM rejects your bid, BOEM will provide a written statement of the reasons and refund any money deposited with your bid, without interest.

   (b) You will then be able to ask the BOEM Director for reconsideration, in writing, within 15 business days of bid rejection, under 30 CFR 585.118(c)(1). BOEM will send you a written response either affirming or reversing the rejection.

   The procedures for appealing final decisions with respect to lease sales are described in 30 CFR 585.118(c).

   Protection of Privileged or Confidential Information

   BOEM will protect privileged or confidential information that is submitted as required by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Exemption 4 of FOIA applies to trade secrets and commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential. If you wish to protect the confidentiality of such information, clearly mark it and request that BOEM treat it as confidential. BOEM will not disclose such information, except as required by FOIA. Please label privileged or confidential information ``Contains Confidential Information'' and consider submitting such information as a separate attachment.

   However, BOEM will not treat as confidential any aggregate summaries of such information or comments not containing such information. Additionally, BOEM may not treat as confidential the legal title of the commenting entity (e.g., the name of a company). Information that is not labeled as privileged or confidential will be regarded by BOEM as suitable for public release.

   Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470w-

   3(a))

   BOEM is required, after consultation with the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, to withhold the location, character, or ownership of historic resources if it determines that disclosure may, among other things, cause a significant invasion of privacy, risk harm to the historic resources or impede the use of a traditional religious site by practitioners. Tribal entities and other interested parties should designate information that they wish to be held as confidential and provide the reasons why BOEM should do so.

   Dated: May 30, 2014.

   Walter D. Cruickshank,

   Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

   FR Doc. 2014-14116 Filed 6-17-14; 8:45 am

   BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P